When you want something…and all the Universe conspires to helping you to achieve it!
Have you ever wanted something so much that you dreamed of it, thought about it constantly, wished for it or even prayed for it to come into existence? I know I have…
It could be a new job or opportunity or experience to be had. Or maybe something more tangible – like building your dream home, travelling the world, becoming the person you know you’re capable of or even winning the lottery. (Inside voice: Tell me I’m not the only one who’s bought a ticket for the big jackpot!)
Seriously, I think we’ve all wanted something – to have or be or learn…like a new skill or embarking on an adventure or meeting the right person to spend the rest of your life with.
Think of one of those moments when you wanted something – with intention. With conviction. With absolute focus.
Last week was one of those moments for me. Not one of the big things mentioned above, but on a smaller scale. Nonetheless, when we want something – when we really want something – I believe that the Universe conspires to helping us achieve it!
It’s been years – a decade, in fact – since I’ve found my feet at the start line of an Ironman race. I got into trail running in the last decade and fell in love with the simplicity of just needing runners, instead of all the gear that triathlons require – a wetsuit, goggles, swim cap, bike, bike shoes, bike clothes, bike helmet, water bottles, and then runners, a hat, sun glasses, and on and on…. Any triathlete knows the list is long.
I loved getting lost in the trails over last number of years…but the Ironman has been quietly whispering in my ear lately. And last week, I found myself at the start line of the Half Ironman in Oliver, surrounded by my ‘people’, totally basking in an environment that I absolutely love, feel so at home in and have dearly missed. From the people to the physical exertion to the mental focus required – I love long distance triathlons. (I’m far too slow for the short distance so I opt for the longer races.) It’s also more time to get lost in thoughts, daydreams and big dreams!
So – let’s get to this past weekend. I knew I had a bit of help – probably on many levels. It was a day that Pablo Coelho articulates so well in the book, The Alchemist, “When you want something, all the Universe conspires in helping you achieve it.”
I must admit, I was under-trained. But my goal was simply to finish. Smiling.
My mantra for every race is: Find a friend. Be a friend. Keep moving forward. And do not get wet. It’s a good mantra for life, too.
The best I could hope for was 3 out of 4 b/c the rain was pouring!
In the early morning hours when most people were sleeping, I was up early, getting ready. And as I did, I listened to this short poem. Over. And. Over. And. Over. Until the feeling of inspiration inside me didn’t need the words any longer. It was anchored and tucked away in the back pocket of my bike jersey for when I needed it later.
I knew I would need it later.
The poem is called Breathe, by Arielle Estoria. Link here:Breathe.
The early morning hours passed and the rain started to fall. Part of me looked forward to the swim because, once you’re wet – you’re wet. Another part of me was very apprehensive about the swim because it had been so long since I had my wetsuit on, swimming in the open water with hundreds of others. The rain started to fall harder.
There was no turning back at this point though. My inner voice spoke loud and clear – Dreams don’t get brought to life, sitting on the side-lines. So I let my fears go and tugged at my wetsuit, pulling at the neoprene that had not seen the light of day for a decade, tucked my hair under the lime-green swim cap, slung my goggles on to my wrist and made my way to the swim start.
I remembered the quote that I first learned, 20 years ago, written on a plaque that my family gave me on the eve of my first Ironman race, “The miracle isn’t that you finish. The miracle is that you have the courage to start”.
It was time to dig deep, find that courage and start. I felt the sand beneath my toes and closed my eyes. And breathed. Standing next to me was a woman. This was her first race. She was nervous. We chatted for a few moments and hugged as it was nearing our turn to plunge into the cold water. There was something reassuring about being shoulder-to-shoulder with others in this early-season race. The comradery buoyed everyone, even before we got to the water. And then the count-down began and the race was on! I found myself in the cold water, swimming with hundreds of others, towards our dreams. It took some time to get comfortable. To relax. To slow my stroke down. But experience took over along with muscle memory and my breathing slowed. As if on queue, I remembered my old swim-mantre from a decade ago, “strong-smooth-streamlined-and smiling”.
Without obstacle or any real concern, the 2km swim ended as calmly as it began and my feet were back on the sand. I must admit that I was a little relieved though – that it wasn’t too bad – and that my wetsuit still fit! (I did try it on the week before so I knew it would but I didn’t know the swim portion of the race would go as smoothly as it did.) The 375 meter run to the bike transition area was calm and I felt pretty good, all things considered. The rain was still pouring hard! It didn’t matter though because, once you’re wet – you really can’t get more wet. Transition was slow but methodical and before I knew it, I was out on my bike. Drenched. Slow. Apprehensive. And excited!
I 
was in the middle of my first long-distance triathlon – in ten years! It felt sooo awesome! Even if I was freezing cold, soaked and already-fatigued! It didn’t get too daunting until around KM 50. With pouring rain, up-hill course and lack of sunshine, I was a bit deflated. The 30km/hour winds were in my face and I was tired. Then I remembered the poem. And I “breathed”. Slower. Steady…and imagined my hand on my heart.
“Put your hand on your heart. And feel. Then listen. That, my friend is the sound of a life worth living. A life to be grabbed by the seams, thrown on your body and then run with!”
I grabbed those words and found just a little bit more in my muscles. I believe we’ve all got a little bit more inside of ourselves. We just have to find a way to reach and grab hold of it.
The 90km bike segment came to an end with a little sunlight poking through the rain clouds. Grateful for the sunshine and end of the ride, I took a deep breath and began the long run. Walking first, stretching out my legs, wrapping my mind around the next couple hours, I started to jog – just one foot in front of the other. Not thinking about much. Just breathing. Appreciating the ability to be in the race. Making friends and cheering for other competitors as they passed me or I passed them. I found my groove – for the first 14 km. Then it all sort of unraveled for a bit.
When the wheels fell off for a few kilometres, at around the 15km point of the half-marathon, I pulled out the poem again and remembered that “I am a constellation that the earth has not yet mapped out. My feet will take me places that my heart will fall in love with. A thousand times over. I am joy that the sun encompassed and the rays of my smile. I am dedicated, passion fuelling my motives like old newspaper flames. I am a firework!…Create something beautiful. BE something beautiful.”
Here are the actual lyrics of this segment of the poem – for you: “You are a constellation that the earth has not yet mapped out. Your feet will take you places that your heart will fall in love with. A thousand times over. You are joy that the sun encompassed and the rays of your smile. You are dedicated, passion fuelling your motives like old newspaper flames. You are a firework!…Create something beautiful. BE something beautiful.”
And with those words, I focused on breathing. On letting my passion to be my fuel. On Being present in the moment – and with only a few km to go, I picked up the pace, let the rays of my smile shine, embraced my once-secret dream of Ironman racing from 20 years ago, all over again, and allowed the Universe to conspire and carry me over the finish line.
Together, hundreds of athletes began the race. And together, we finished, including the woman I met before the start of the race. On our own – but connected – in joy and determination, conspiring together to help one another achieve our dreams.
May what ever you are wanting cause you to rise early and go to sleep late! May passion fuel your motives. And may the Universe conspire to help you achieve your dreams!
Take a moment to listen to the poem Breathe, by Arielle Estoria (on video). Find it here: Breathe It will make your day! I promise.
Special thanks to Chelsea from @chelseadawncoaching for sharing this gift in a Breathwork Workshop: Find more about Chesea here: Chelsea Dawn Coaching
Crystal Flaman is an international keynote speaker and social entrepreneur, inspiring you to discover your dreams and the difference you can create in the world. Anything is possible. Everything is possible. Believe in your dreams. Do what you love and be fearlessly you.
If you would like to learn more information about this topic or to have Crystal share this message with your team, in person or on a virtual platform, please contact Crystal. Thank you. crystal@inspiringsuccess.ca phone: 250-215-2903 (cell) or 778-477-0100 (on the rotary dial land-line)
